MARK Nawaqanitawase wasn’t calling it a square-up. Not really.
But when he was asked on Triple M if he had a foot in touch before passing the ball to Sydney Roosters team-mate Robert Toia for a crucial try in the preliminary final win over the Dolphins, he answered: “What about their try?”
That was a reference to Jamayne Isaako grounding the ball dangerously close to the touch-in-goal line during the first half of the tricolours’ 36-20 win at Suncorp Stadium.
The tone of the interview was jocular, the sideline reporter asked if the second decision was a “square up” for the first.
“Mark Mark” went along with the half-joke.
“It’s a square-up alright!” he said.
Of course square-ups are verboten in rugby league, or indeed in any form of sports officiating. It’s bias – and alleging it can get athletes and coaches in deep trouble. But Nawaqanitawase was in a jovial mood after his two try performance, saying: “Another week, eh? A terrific effort. The Dolphins have had an unbelievable year and pushed us right to the end there.”
On the dazzling winger’s impending return to rugby union, team-mate Sam Walker said: “Someone needs to get him to stay. He’s an unbelievable talent and its so special having him in our team.”
Over on the ABC, Roosters prop Lindsay Collins sounded as if he was fighting back tears as he contemplated an unusual record: he’s won two preliminary finals but never played in a grand final. In fact, he’s the only player of the NRL era to have been that unlucky.
“It’s pretty surreal to get the opportunity to win tonight and we get that and we’ve got one more to go. Yeah, I’m looking forward to it,” he said.
“This is what you play for. This is why you play and what you dream of as a kid in the backyard so we’re here now … make the most of the week and enjoy the week and then we’ll see you Sunday.”
England centre Herbie Farnworth was one of the few Dolphins players to speak at fulltime.
Asked about reports he might test his value on the open market in November rather than re-sign with the Dolphins, he said: “Mate honestly, it’s the last thing I’m thinking about now. I’m just soaking it all in. It’s a brilliant club, Dolphins. I love all the boys, love all the staff.
“It felt like we couldn’t get the ball. The boys tried super hard. It just wasn’t meant to be. We were chasing the footy the whole second half, it seemed like we couldn’t get it and when we did get it, we were too far behind on the scoreboard. “
